Docs advise people to stay active, exercise regularly even in harsh winter
Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Nov 21 (KINS): As temperatures plunge across Kashmir, doctors have advised people not to abandon physical activity during the winter months, warning that a sedentary lifestyle can aggravate a range of health problems including heart disease, diabetes, obesity and joint ailments.
Health experts in the Valley said that while cold weather and frequent fog or snow discourage people from going outdoors, residents must adopt indoor exercise routines to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing.
“Winters in Kashmir are long and harsh, but that should not be an excuse to stop exercising,” Dr Mohammad Shafi, a physician, told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
“We see a rise in cases of high blood pressure, heart issues, weight gain and even depression during the cold season, largely because people become inactive and stay confined indoors for weeks,” he said.
Doctors said even light and moderate activities done regularly can significantly help. They recommend brisk indoor walking, stretching, cycling on static bikes, and simple strength exercises that can be done at home without equipment.
A cardiologist at SKIMS Soura said that the risk of heart attacks is known to increase in winter due to blood vessel constriction and changes in blood pressure. “Those who already have hypertension, diabetes or heart disease should be extra cautious. Regular exercise, even for 20–30 minutes a day, helps improve blood circulation, keeps weight under control and stabilises blood pressure,” he said.
Orthopaedic specialists also cautioned that lack of physical activity in winter can worsen joint stiffness and back pain, especially among the elderly. “We advise senior citizens and arthritis patients to perform mild, supervised exercises at home. Remaining inactive for long hours under heavy blankets may give warmth but it is not good for bones and joints,” an orthopaedic doctor at Bone and Joint Hospital Barzulla said.
Doctors further underlined that winter exercise has mental health benefits as well. “Due to fewer sunlight hours, many people feel low, anxious or irritable during ‘Chillai Kalan’. Physical activity releases feel-good hormones and can combat stress and seasonal depression,” said a psychiatrist at Government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital, Srinagar.
Appealing to the public, doctors said that along with a balanced diet and adequate sleep, regular physical activity should be treated as a “winter necessity” rather than an option.
“Even if it is snowing outside, you can walk inside your room, climb stairs, stretch or do simple yoga,” said Dr Shafi. “What matters is consistency. Taking care of your health in winter will prevent serious complications later.” (KINS)
